When we first started PFP in 2014 there were only a handful of youth-focused athletic development gyms.
Now, there are many. On the surface they all look similar, but here are 3 questions you'll want to get answered before you drop a car payment on training for your athlete:
- Will my kid get anything out of this program that will last long-term?
Confession: when PFP started, we did not have a proven plan to help athletes transform from the inside out (only way to lasting change). It happened sometimes, but not consistently.
We were great at putting together workout programs that helped them get fast, strong, and agile. But we realized overtime that any coach could do that. And kids needed more.
A lot of athlete training facilities nowadays are putting out incredible workouts, amazing speed and agility drills, and pushing their athletes endurance levels, and it's good stuff.
But why is it that so few kids are consistently moving towards their full potential?
Why is it that so many kids are athletic and hardworking, yet they hold back in games. Their confidence isn't there. They don't ever realize the fullness of their capabilities? They have more in the tank, literally, but it's staying in the tank!
I will tell you-- many coaches just don't know how to train the mind and behaviors of their athletes, which is the only thing that will create a long-term result!
BEWARE of this. Training gyms that only know how to train the physical athlete are really not worth the money. Exercises don't equip or empower a kid to be better.
Kids are not cars- you can't just throw a bigger engine inside them and watch them perform better.
They have minds that hold them back, self-doubts that keep them down, comparison that demotivates them, and fears of failing or messing up that cause them to underperform despite having the skill.
- Do these coaches make it personal but keep it professional?
In a lot of training gyms for athletes, the coaches build such a tight bond with the athlete (they are good at making it personal) that they eventually stop keeping it professional.
I have found that many athlete performance coaches nowadays:
1. STOP challenging the athlete to get out of their comfort zones (instead, they let things slide, they let the athlete slack off)
2. STOP raising the bar for them to get better (instead, it's more about avoiding making Johnny or Suzie feel uncomfortable- which is the reason they needed you in the first place!)
3. STOP holding them to a standard of character and leadership (the coach starts to let Johnny or Suzie be disrespectful, give up on things, etc. As long as they get their sets and reps in-- it's terrible coaching, but it happens)
4. STOP treating the athlete like a brand new client they are trying to win over for the long term (familiarity breeds complacency- our coaches are taught to never stop striving to win the trust and respect of their athletes- to always be serving them)
BEWARE of this. It's okay for it to happen occasionally (if that's what they athlete really needs that day) but if it becomes a pattern, it's no longer worth the investment.
- What do the lives of these coaches look like outside of the gym?
Coaches are the most influential people in a kids life once they pass 11 years old.
The 2 most common words out of the mouth of a 21st century adolescent are, "Coach says".
Which could be great if the coach who is coaching your kids has shared values with you.
But here is what I have observed over the last 12 years:
Many coaches start training for the love of changing lives and helping people BUT they often become success and achievement driven.
In today's youth sports culture where kids are anxiously striving, scared of failing, and seeking status above all else, if they also have a coach who is chasing the same illusion of success, status, and "happiness"...that's a sure way to watch your kids mental health decline.
When you select a training gym for your kids to build athleticism at, I seriously recommend looking into the lives of the coaches who will be influencing your son or daughter.
BEWARE of this. Bigger, stronger, and faster without healthy perspective on "Why you are doing it" and without healthy expectations of "What this will actually provide me with" is fleeting. Just ask the CEO with tons of money and zero health and broken relationships!
If you are looking for an experience for your athlete that is going to change their life and not only help them be successful on the sports field, but build the mindset and habits that will lead to a joyful, successful, well-rounded and confident life, I'd encourage you to grab one of the open spots and get started today with a 15 minute discovery call.
We don't just throw our athletes into classes. We want to get to know them better and to know what you are hoping for them to get out of a place like PFP.
Get Started Today
- Coach Andrew J Simpson
Founder of Player's Fitness and Performance
